Louis Roederer Collection 246, Champagne

This has pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossoms, grapefruit and chalk. It’s silky, fresh and beautifully balanced on the palate, with very soft bubbles. Based on 2021, with reserve wine from a perpetual reserve created in 2012, plus reserve wines kept in oak from 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Drink now.

93 points jamessuckling.com

The NV Brut Collection 246 is positively stellar. It’s a terrific example of where Roederer is going with this cuvée stylistically. Brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. There are no hard angles or awkward contours. The 246 is based on 2021, an extremely tricky vintage for Champagne. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon bumped up the percentage of Chardonnay considerably and focused on Pinots from the Montagne de Reims. About 30% of the lots underwent malolactic fermentation to soften the edges. Twenty-four percent of the wines were fermented in oak, the rest in tank. The 246 is a blend of 55% base 2021 vintage wines described above, plus 30% perpetual reserve going back to 2012 (mostly from Cumières, Vertus and Verzy) in tank and 10% young-vine juice from Cristal plots aged in cask. The final blend is 54% Chardonnay (as opposed to the more typical 44%), 35% Pinot Noir and 11% Meunier. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. More importantly, the 246 is impeccably done and absolutely delicious.

93 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

Louis Roederer Collection 246 represents a bold evolution in the house’s Champagne philosophy—a shift from vintage-led cuvées to an ongoing, perpetual reserve that captures the essence of each year. Based in Reims and founded in 1776, Louis Roederer remains one of the few great Champagne houses still family-owned and fiercely independent. Under the direction of Frédéric Rouzaud and cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, the estate has redefined its approach to blending and sustainability, crafting a Champagne that bridges the precision of the present with the depth of the past.

The name Collection 246 refers to the number of harvests since the house’s founding, with this release anchored on the 2018 base vintage and balanced by a reserve wine solera begun in 2012. The blend is typically 54% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier sourced from premier crus across the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. A significant proportion of the grapes come from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards, reflecting Roederer’s ongoing commitment to regenerative viticulture. The perpetual reserve—aged partly in oak and stainless steel—adds richness and complexity, while the 2018 fruit brings freshness and energy. After secondary fermentation, the wine spends over three years on lees before disgorgement, with a dosage around 8 g/L to balance tension and texture.

In the glass, it shows a brilliant pale gold hue with a fine, persistent bead. The nose is intricate and expressive, revealing layers of white peach, citrus zest, and pear intertwined with toasted hazelnut, brioche, and chalk. On the palate, it’s seamless and pure, offering a supple texture with notes of ripe orchard fruit, lemon curd, almond and subtle spice. The finish is long and saline, with a crystalline minerality that defines Roederer’s house style—graceful yet deeply structured.

Louis Roederer Collection 246 is as versatile as it is refined. It pairs beautifully with freshly shucked oysters, grilled lobster, roast chicken with morel cream, or even aged Comté cheese. While designed for immediate enjoyment, it has the depth and tension to evolve gracefully over the next 5 to 8 years.